Improvement in hair switches



S. J. WELLS.

HAIR-SWITCH.

Patented J'u1y17,1877.

{-NV N A zT-EST: fix/MM JQ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL J. WELLS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN HAIR SWITCHES- Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 193,304, dated July 17, 1877; application filed May 14, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL J WELLS, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Loops for Hair Switches, of which the following is a specification The nature of the present invention consists in three or more loops or eyes, to which to attach the strands of human hair, terminating ina loop or eye to which to attach the hair or switch to the head-gear or natural hair, whereby aswitch of human hair is properly separated for braiding, and the strands of such switch so wound and connected that the braid may be made closely to the attaching loop or eyes. The present method of securing the ends of a switch of human hair in a mass is by winding thread around the hair, and then separating the mass by hand prior to each braiding thereof; but as braids have frequently to be undone and rehraided, the old method involves much labor and skill in the separation above named, and the. hair is broken and tangled.

It is, therefore, the object of the present invention to avoid theseabove objections, and to provide switches which are properly divided in strands, the proper distance apart for braiding closely to their ends, and thus conceal, so far as possible, the artificial appearance of the dressing of the head.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents my improvement in loops for hair switches and braided strands of hair attached thereto. Fig. 2 is an edge view of the loop attachment with hair removed.

In this case I take a suitable piece of black wire, and form it in four loops or eyes A, U, G, and I, lapping the wireat the coil I, and forming short bars B between loops A (J, and short bars D D between loops C O I. This places the strandslfl the proper distance apart, and the loop A a suitable distance from'the hair for fastening to the head-gear. The strands are first wound to hold the hair, and then a loop of thread is put through the loops or eyes 0 O I, thus leaving the strands always divided, so as to be braided closely to the fast ening. A wire-loop attachment is shown; but in practice I use the loops formed of thread in substantially the same manner for dividing the strands and holding them in place.

An advantage of the thread is, that it is softer, and is more suitable in some cases, because it is softer to the head.

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent- A switch of human hair divided in strands, wound at their ends and combined with loops or eyes 0 O I, and an attaching or fastening loop, A, as and for the purpose described.

' SAMUEL J. WELLS.

Witnesses O. H. ADIX,

G. L. GHAPIN. 

